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Description
The turn of the XXth century in Spain was marked by social turmoil. Three of the most salient novels of this period El árbol de la ciencia by Pío Baroja, Niebla by Miguel de Unamuno, and La voluntad by Azorín express their discontent with their social milieu. This study examines how these authors, members of the so-called generation of 98 utilized concepts such as ataraxy, anomie, and anarchy to portray characters who critically analyze and explore the different paths that individuals could take in order to achieve a state of tranquility. Their three novels theorize possible solutions, but never provide a resolution to the decadent social state that each author portrays in their novels. In addition, they believed that the writing of a novel was a method to shape society’s perspective, and its alienated individuals in order for them to have the capacity to make wise decisions, and possibly desire change. To explore this argument the introduction of this study briefly describes the different philosophic concepts that are used to analyze the actions and comments of various characters that appear in their novels. In chapter one, I analyze how Baroja presents Andrés Hurtado who is disenchanted with the environment in which he lives, and how he turns to philosophic texts in search of an answer that can change individuals and society as a whole. Chapter two, discusses how Unamuno introduces the notion of ataraxy through his use of fiction and the actions of his character Augusto Pérez. Chapter three considers how Azorín portrays his character’s, Antonio Azorín, dissatisfaction with his world. Just like Andrés Hurtado in El árbol de la ciencia, the philosophical readings instead of helping him reach a state of tranquility, deepens his sense of hopelessness. I conclude that Baroja, Unamuno and Azorín portray in their novels how suffering is a necessary in life because it makes their characters feel alive.
